Is India fit for democracy?
British did not consider India capable of democracy – too
traditional, dynastic, illiterate, fatalistic, etc. It was a philosophy and
practice alien to India where a monarch of dominant group exercised power while
the rest accepted and followed it. Thus when democracy was introduced in India
it did not grow / develop as a response to people’s needs.
Yet the overall assessment over 60 years is that India has
adopted democracy. The parliamentary system, independent judiciary and
electoral process etc. was seen as the only workable type of government for
such a diverse country. Therefore it was adopted even before independence.
FACTORS THAT PROMOTE DEMOCRACY / SIGNS THAT DEMOCRACY IS
HEALTHY IN INDIA
-
Regular elections at the municipal, state and
national level since 1950
-
Growth of several political parties
representing and expressing the views of different sections of society
-
Largely uninterrupted parliamentary government
(especially when compared to Pakistan, Burma etc., which have frequently lapsed
into dictatorship) (Except 70s emergency)
-
Non political Armed Force – not interested in
political power (therefore no coups)
-
Increasingly assertive press – much freer than
most afro Asian countries
-
Decentralization and strengthening of local
government bodies – Panchayati Raj – taking democracy to the grass root level.
IMPEDIMENTS
-
Illiteracy – information cannot be verified,
manipulate voters, people not aware of their rights, cannot use the law to
protect themselves, unaware of political practices, duties, etc.
-
Poverty – subsistence level cannot be bothered
by politics / easily exploited / voters are ‘bought’.
-
Over population and migration – very expensive
elections, huge numbers of voters, personnel, booths, counting, etc., movement
of population, voting lists have to be reviewed, huge no. of people cannot vote
because they are not in their constituencies.
-
Group interest over national interest – voting
for parties for the benefit of a group, narrow interests rather than national
good, regional parties, reservation, bartering of votes for benefits etc,
parties only concerned about single issues etc.
-
Criminalization of politics – candidates with
criminal records, use of unfair methods for votes, booth-capturing,
intimidation, corruption (continues within the government)
-
Apathy of voters – falling percentage of voter
turnout especially in urban, educated, middle class areas.
-
Extraneous influences – religion, caste,
language get mixed up with politics
-
Democracy does not guarantee the best
government – voters could be duped, post election alliances, splitting of votes
can result in a third party becoming the majority.
ROLE OF EDUCATION
‘Democracy can never be successful without education’. The
process requires one to understand one’s rights, duties, information on how the
system works, to live as civilised citizens – exercise franchise with maturity,
understanding and analysis of the agenda of each party.
‘Democratic government demands an educated people’ –
Hetherington
‘Democracy in its modern form would be quite impossible in
a nation where men cannot read – Bertrand Russell
Also required for social equality (doing away with
prejudice) and economic opportunity.
ROLE OF PRESS
-
Extremely important
-
Education about democracy and political system,
mass education
-
Enables communication – people to their government
and parties / government to carry their message to the people
-
Highlights, debates important national issues
-
Watch dog on the government and parties
Free Press – not a government mouth piece
Free press should exercise responsibility, sensitivity,
should not instigate trouble especially against communities or castes etc.
